Tuesday, August 21, 2007

Paperstand (CFC, USG, OWW)

The WSJ’s “Heard on the Street“ column out saying that these are happy days for Warren Buffett. "I can spend money faster than Imelda Marcos when things are right," he says. For the past 3 years, Mr. Buffett's traditional bargain-hunting investment strategy has been partly stymied as debt-fueled private-equity funds and hedge funds drove asset prices out of his value-investing orbit. The result: Today he's sitting on a war chest of nearly $50bn in cash. Some investors speculate Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA) could be a buyer for parts of mortgage lender Countrywide (CFC). Berkshire could also be taking advantage of cheaper stock prices in co’s he already owns. For example, Berkshire bought shares of USG (USG).

“Inside Scoop” section reports that Orbitz Worldwide’s (OWW) insiders are buying shares. In total, 5 insiders bought $592K in stock. Orbitz President and CEO Steven Barnhart led the contingent of officers and directors with a purchase of 25K shares for $246K.